The 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL saw another round of matches with the installation of Matchday 11 as a total of 15 goals were scored which resulted in four aways, and draws here are highlights of the week in this edition of five things to know in the NPFL.
*Trouble On The Plateau*
Enugu Rangers FC picked a point in Jos, and the fans in Jos gone haywire, attacked center referee , and the opponent throwing atimes and all manner of objects at Rangers which resulted in damages of valuables and inflicting injury to some of the players.
This is the first this season as the fans have behaved well before this isolated .
Swiftly, the NPFL have responded by deducting the 3 points and 3 goals from their accumulated points and goals.
The body also added financial sanctions of a total of 4.5 million naira ( compensation for assaulted match officials included) while their next three home matches behind closed doors.
*Rare Last Minute Away Goals In Benin*
It was a superb weekend for travelling teams Matchday 11. It was a rare last minute penalty minute in Benin S Kano Pillars were awarded a penalty in the 90+1 minutes against Bendel Insurance at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium last Saturday.
Rabiu Ali converted the kick to start a wave of away wins for the week.
The Benin also breaches the security trust afterwards and NPFL quickly slammed fine of 4 million naira on the Benin based for their failure to provide adequate security needed for the smooth running of the game as fans attacked match officials.
*El Kanemi United Unbeaten ends*
Elkanemi Warriors FC finally surrendered their Invincibility after 900 minutes of unbeaten run in the league.
Matchday 11 saw Elkanemi conceded defeat as Shooting Stars ran riot in Ibadan posting a 3-0 victory scoring three goals for the first time this season as Samuel Ayanrinde and Abubakar Aliyu scored two first-half goals, while Adams Mustapha completed the rout in the second half.
*Rivers In Back to Back Losses*
Rivers United suffered another loss, now at home in front of their fans as Bayelsa United posted an upset in Port Harcourt stealing a 1-0 vivtory.
This was highly unexpected after the Finidi George side went nine matches unbeaten before losing the plot in Lagos against Ikorodu City FC on match day 10.
Definitely, the heat is on and the pressure is gradually on the coach as Rivers United have conceded their lead at the top to Remo Stars following the latter’s 0-0 draw in Aba, against Enyimba FC.
Finidi George needs to rediscover his mojo that has taken his team till Matchday nine and must banish the ghosts of the last two days.
*Aweroro’s Magic*
Ikorodu City FC finally moved out of the relegation as coach Nurudeen Aweroro is welded his magic wand once again.
The Lagos-based Ikorodu City came from a goal down to defeat Katsina United at the Muhammad Dikko stadium in Katsina.
Since Aweroro took charge of the after Matchday 5 in the interim the team have been transformed winning four of their games and posting an away victory is an icing on the cake, as they continue to fight their way to stay in the league .
Aweroro has a personal target of finishing among the top five after Matchday 38, which drew the attention of many of the fans but it seems the coach has his voodoo and he is unleashing its potency on the teams in the NPFL as the season unfold.
*Best Of The Rest*
Coach Emmanuel Amuneke is gradually easing Heartland FC out of trouble as he posted another victory over the weekend .
That makes nine points out of the possible nine , fantastic return and the effort must be commended when you compare to the team’s only six points in the first 8 matches of the season.
The Matchday 11 Results
Bendel Insurance 0-1 Kano Pillars
Lobi Stars 3-1 Abia Warriors
Nasarawa United 0-1 Kwara United
Plateau United 0-0 Rangers
Heartland FC 1-0 Sunshine Stars
Enyimba 0-0 Remo Stars
Rivers United 0-1 Bayelsa United
Katsina United 1-2 Ikorodu City
Niger Tornadoes 1-0 Akwa United
3SC 3-0 Elkanemi
